Two-year outcomes after robotic renal surgery: a single surgeon’s experience

The purpose of this study is to validate the feasibility of the robotic technology for various types of renal surgery and to outline the 2-year clinical and pathological outcomes post surgery. In a retrospective chart review with IRB approval of 55 robotic renal surgeries, clinical data and pathological outcomes were recorded, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine, radiological surveillance of tumor recurrences and overall quality of life on pre- and postoperative visits at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. There were 26 robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN), 23 radical nephrectomy (RRN), 3 simple nephrectomy (RSN), and 3 radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) procedures. Twelve patients in the RPN group, 17 in the RRN group and all in the RSN and RNU groups had eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m² and one or more risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) preoperatively. Mean serum creatinine was 1.2, 1.3, 1.2, and 1.8, and eGFR was 66.4, 61.2, 55.8, and 41.0, respectively. There were two distant metastasis and four local recurrences in the RRN group, and two local recurrences in the RNU group. Serum creatinine and changes in eGFR were statistically similar in all groups postoperatively. Cancer-specific survival was 100% for RPN, 83% for RRN, and 100% for RNU while overall survival was 100% for RPN, 76% for RRN, 100% for RSN, and 100% for RNU at 2 years. Robotic renal surgery is a feasible, minimally invasive alternative with promising outcomes in our short-term follow-up. Long-term and comparative studies with open or conventional laparoscopic approaches are needed.     

“Chopstick” surgery: a novel technique improves surgeon performance and eliminates arm collision in robotic single-incision laparoscopic surgery

Introduction

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is limited by the coaxial arrangement of the instruments. A surgical robot with wristed instruments could overcome this limitation, but the arms often collide when working coaxially. This study tests a new technique of “chopstick” surgery to enable use of the robotic arms through a single incision without collision.

Methods

Experiments were conducted utilizing the da Vinci S^® robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) in a Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) box trainer with three laparoscopic ports (1 × 12 mm, 2 × 5 mm) introduced through a single “incision.” Pilot work determined the optimal setup for SILS to be a triangular port arrangement with 2-cm trocar distance and remote center at the abdominal wall. Using this setup, five experienced robotic surgeons performed three FLS tasks utilizing either a standard robotic arm setup or the chopstick technique. The chopstick arrangement crosses the instruments at the abdominal wall so that the right instrument is on the left side of the target and the left instrument on the right. This results in separation of the robotic arms outside the box. To correct for the change in handedness, the robotic console is instructed to drive the “left” instrument with the right-hand effector and the “right” instrument with the left. Performances were compared while measuring time, errors, number of clutching maneuvers, and degree of instrument collision (Likert scale 1–4).

Results

Compared with the standard setup, the chopstick configuration increased surgeon dexterity and global performance through significantly improved performance times, eliminating instrument collision, and decreasing number of camera manipulations, clutching maneuvers, and errors during all tasks.

Conclusion

Chopstick surgery significantly enhances the functionality of the surgical robot when working through a small single incision. This technique will enable surgeons to utilize the robot for SILS and possibly for intraluminal or transluminal surgery.     

Are pedicled flaps feasible in robotic surgery? Report of an anatomical study of the kite flap in conventional surgery versus robotic surgery

Reconstruction of cutaneous defects of the hand has dramatically progressed. It should also benefit from the development of robot-assisted surgery. The aim of the present study was to consider the feasibility of a kite flap in robotic surgery. Two cadaver hands were used in this study, one for a conventional procedure, and one for a robotic surgical procedure using a da Vinci Si robot. The operative duration was measured, and all difficulties encountered during the procedures were reported. The total duration of the intervention was 19 minutes with the conventional procedure and 30 minutes with the robotic technique. Some difficulties were encountered, related both to lack of specific instrumentation and haptic feedback. Robotic surgery presents interesting advantages such as the suppression of physiological tremor, increased degrees of freedom, and enhanced precision and accuracy of hand maneuvers. In this study, it allowed the realization of a pedicled flap without any external help.     

Should experienced open prostatic surgeons convert to robotic surgery? The real learning curve for one surgeon over 3 years

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To critically analyse the learning curve for one experienced open surgeon converting to robotic surgery for radical prostatectomy (RP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From February 2006 to December 2008, 502 patients had retropubic RP (RRP) while concurrently 212 had robot‐assisted laparoscopic RP (RALP) by one urologist. We prospectively compared the baseline patient and tumour characteristics, variables during and after RP, histopathological features and early urinary functional outcomes in the two groups.

RESULTS

The patients in both groups were similar in age, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen level, and prostatic volume. However, there were more high‐stage (T2b and T3, P= 0.02) and ‐grade (Gleason 9, P= 0.01) tumours in the RRP group. The mean (range) operative duration was 147 (75–330) min for RRP and 192 (119–525) min for RALP (P < 0.001); 110 cases were required to achieve ‘3‐h proficiency’. Major complication rates were 1.8% and 0.8% for RALP and RRP, respectively. The overall positive surgical margin (PSM) rate was 21.2% in the RALP and 16.7% in the RRP group (P= 0.18). PSM rates for pT2 were comparable (11.6% vs 10.1%, P= 0.74). pT3 PSM rates were higher for RALP than RRP (40.5% vs 28.8%, P= 0.004). The learning curve started to plateau in the overall PSM rate after 150 cases. For the pT2 and pT3 PSM rates, the learning curve tended to flatten after 140 and 170 cases, respectively. The early continence rates were comparable (P= 0.07) but showed a statistically significant improvement after 200 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis of the learning curve has shown that certain components of the curve for an experienced open surgeon transferring skills to the robotic platform take different times. We suggest that patient selection is guided by these milestones, to maximize oncological outcomes.     

Laparoscopic versus robotic right colectomy: a single surgeon’s experience

There is increased interest in robotic techniques for colon resection, but the role of robotics in colorectal surgery has not yet been defined. The purpose of this study was to compare our recent experience with robotic right colectomy to that with laparoscopic right colectomy. From November 2008 to June 2011, a total of 47 consecutive patients underwent elective, right colectomy: 25 laparoscopic right colectomies (LRC) and 22 robotic right colectomies (RRC). All procedures in this study were performed by a single, board-certified colon and rectal surgeon (H.J.L.). Main outcomes recorded included conversion rate, operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of extraction sites, length of stay (LOS), and complications. Data studied were prospectively recorded in a database and were retrospectively reviewed. Mean OT for LRC was 107 ± 36.7 min (median 98, range 48–207) and for RRC was 189.1 ± 38.1 min (median 185, range 123–288, P < 0.001). Mean total operating room time (TORT) for LRC was 158.6 ± 38.1 min (median 149, range 104–274) and for RRC was 258.3 ± 40.9 (median 251, range 182–372, P < 0.001). The tendency lines for both OT and TORT decreased over time for RRC. EBL for LRC was 70.2 ± 52.9 ml (median 50, range 10–200) and for RRC was 60.8 ± 71.3 ml (median 40, range 10–300, P = 0.037). The mean extraction site length for the laparoscopic group was 5.3 ± 1.3 cm (median 5, range 4–11) and for the robotic group was 4.6 ± 0.7 cm (median 4.5, range 3.5–6, p = 0.008). LOS was similar for both groups, as were complications. No cases were converted to open. No leaks occurred and there was no 30-day mortality. RRC is safe and feasible, with similar outcomes to LRC. Operative times were longer for RRC; however, they compare favorably with times for LRC published in the literature. Extraction site length and EBL were less for RRC. However, further study is necessary to demonstrate the clinical relevance of these findings. We are optimistic that OT and TORT will continue to improve.     

Impact of robotic general surgery course on participants’ surgical practice

Background

Courses, including lectures, live surgery, and hands-on session, are part of the recommended curriculum for robotic surgery. However, for general surgery, this approach is poorly reported. The study purpose was to evaluate the impact of robotic general surgery course on the practice of participants.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2011, 101 participants attended the Geneva International Robotic Surgery Course, held at the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. This 2-day course included theory lectures, dry lab, live surgery, and hands-on session on cadavers. After a mean of 30.1 months (range, 2–48), a retrospective review of the participants’ surgical practice was performed using online research and surveys.

Results

Among the 101 participants, there was a majority of general (58.4 %) and colorectal surgeons (10.9 %). Other specialties included urologists (7.9 %), gynecologists (6.9 %), pediatric surgeons (2 %), surgical oncologists (1 %), engineers (6.9 %), and others (5.9 %). Data were fully recorded in 99 % of cases; 46 % of participants started to perform robotic procedures after the course, whereas only 6.9 % were already familiar with the system before the course. In addition, 53 % of the attendees worked at an institution where a robotic system was already available. All (100 %) of participants who started a robotic program after the course had an available robotic system at their institution.

Conclusions

A course that includes lectures, live surgery, and hands-on session with cadavers is an effective educational method for spreading robotic skills. However, this is especially true for participants whose institution already has a robotic system available.     

The hospital volume-outcome relationship in general thoracic surgery. Is the surgeon the critical determinant?

BACKGROUND: Complex operations, such as those performed in thoracic surgery, have a hospital volume-outcome relationship. It is difficult to isolate the effect of the surgeon in this relationship since experienced thoracic surgeons tend to practice in high-volume tertiary care hospitals. An American comprehensive cancer hospital created a community outreach satellite program in thoracic surgery, and this provided a unique opportunity to study the hospital volume-outcome relationship without the confounding variable of surgeon experience. METHODS: A retrospective review of thoracic surgical operations done over a 4-year period at a small community hospital, by a tertiary care hospital surgeon, was conducted. Operative mortality was the major outcome measure. Two high complexity operations (pneumonectomy and esophagectomy) were specifically scrutinized. RESULTS: 486 thoracic surgical procedures (317 minor and 169 major cases) were done. There was one in-hospital death (aspiration pneumonia after esophageal stenting) and one 30-day mortality (readmission for cerebral vascular accident after lobectomy). Data,for the 10 esophagectomy patients is as follows: age - 66+/-13 years; length of stay - 12.8+/-3.4 days; anastomotic leaks - 0; operative mortality - 0. Data for the 6 pneumonectomy patients is as follows: age - 69+/-8 years; length of stay - 8.5+/-5.2 days; preoperative FEV1 - 1.6+/-0.3 litres; fistulas or empyema - 0; operative mortality - 0. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having a very low volume of thoracic surgical cases the community hospital had crude outcomes comparable to those reported from high volume tertiary hospitals. This suggests that the surgeon may be a more important factor in the hospital volume-outcome relationship than previously thought. Nevertheless, complex thoracic surgical operations are ideally performed by an experienced surgeon, and in a high volume hospital     

Using the “Summa Set-up” in robotic assisted gynecologic surgery

During challenging gynecologic (GYN) procedures, the conventional robotic set-up can limit a surgeon’s ability to effectively and efficiently perform these procedures. We present a novel set-up using a parallel-docking approach of the da Vinci ^® Surgical System with only three robotic arms and incorporating two patient side assist ports to overcome the difficulties presented during challenging GYN procedures. The Summa Set-up (SS) uses 4 ports actively, 2 assist ports and 2 robotic ports, compared to the traditional set-up which uses 4 ports: 1 assist port and 3 robotic ports. With the SS format, the patient-side assistant stands at the head of the bed and can simultaneously retract the uterus and aide in surgical dissection along with the console surgeon. While there are many possibilities of da Vinci ^® docking, port placement and assistant placement during robotic-assisted GYN surgery, we believe the SS can be an alternative for many GYN surgeons, especially those in teaching hospitals, for increased mobility and efficiency during complex GYN procedures.     

The Lyon’s sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty in previous unsuccessful patellofemoral surgery

Purpose

Trochleoplasty is a relatively rare operation with few published results and it remains a technically demanding procedure which requires careful patient selection. The ideal candidate for surgery remains to be elucidated, and some authors consider it as a good revision option in cases of previous unsuccessful operations for persisting patellar dislocation with underlying trochlear dysplasia. The purpose of this study is to record the results from the application of sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty in patients with trochlear dysplasia and previous unsuccessful surgery for patellar dislocation.

Methods

Twenty-two patients (24 knees) were operated upon during the period 9/1993–9/2006; they had undergone surgery for patellofemoral instability and had persistent patellar dislocation, and were followed-up for a mean of 66 months (24–191). Trochleoplasty was performed in all patients using the same technique and rehabilitation protocol. Additional soft-tissue and bony operations were performed in every case.

Results

Of all cases, 29.1 % had type B and 70.9 % had type D trochlear dysplasia. After trochleoplasty, no patient had a patellar re-dislocation up to the last follow-up. Pain decreased in 72 % and the apprehension sign was negative in 75 % of the cases (p < 0.01). Sulcus angle decreased from 153° ± 14° to 141° ± 10° (p < 0.01), TT-TG distance decreased from 16 ± 6 mm to 12 ± 2 mm (p < 0.001), and patellar tilt decreased from 31° ± 14° to 11° ± 8° (p < 0.0001). Mean pre-operative Kujala score was 44 (25–73) and at the latest follow-up it increased to 81 (53–100), (p < 0.001). At the time of final follow-up, there was no case of patellofemoral arthritis.

Conclusions

Trochlear dysplasia is a key factor in the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation and its correction could be included in the surgical options. Sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty is an acceptable revision option for the surgical treatment of patients with persisting patellar dislocation and high-grade trochlear dysplasia.     

Single-port laparoscopic surgery is applicable to most gynecologic surgery: a single surgeon’s experience

Background  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of single-port laparoscopic surgery in benign gynecologic diseases and to examine its impact on surgical outcomes.     

The AESOP robot system in laparoscopic surgery: Increased risk or advantage for surgeon and patient?

Background The aim of this study was to examine the advantages and risks of the Automated Endoscopic System for Optical Positioning (AESOP) 3000 robot system during uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomies or laparoscopic hernioplasty.Methods In a randomized study, we examined two groups of 120 patients each with the diagnosis cholecystolithiasis respectively the unilateral inguinal hernia. We worked with the AESOP 3000, a robotic arm system that is voice-controlled by the surgeon. The subjective and objective comfort of the surgeon as well as the course and length of the operation were measured.Results The robot-assisted operations required significantly longer preparation and operation times. With regard to the necessary commands and manual camera corrections, the assistant group was favored. The same was true for the subjective evaluation of the surgical course by the surgeon.Conclusions Our study showed that the use of AESOP during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hernioplasty is possible in 94% of all cases. The surgeon must accept a definite loss of comfort as well as a certain loss of time against the advantage of saving on personnel.     

The ‘clitoromotor’ reflex

The effect of glans clitoris (GC) stimulation on the vagina, uterus and pelvic floor muscles (levator ani (LA) or pubococcygeus, puborectalis (PR)) was studied in 16 healthy volunteers (mean age 34.9 years). The GC was stimulated mechanically and electrically while recording the vaginal and uterine pressures and the electromyographic activity of PR and LA. Stimulation caused a drop in the uterine (P<0.001) and upper vaginal (P<0.05) pressures (1.6 and 2.9 cmH₂O, respectively) and an increase in the middle (P<0.001) and lower (P<0.001) vaginal pressures (58.6 and 89.2 cmH₂O, respectively). It also effected an increase of EMG activity in the PR (P<0.01) and LA (P<0.01). Response was greater with electrical than with mechanical stimulation (P<0.05). No response occurred upon stimulation of the anesthetized GC or the anesthetized PR or LA. The reproducibility of the PR and LA contraction on GC stimulation postulates a reflex relationship which we call the clitoromotor reflex. This induces uterovaginal changes that enhance the sexual response of both partners, and also prepares the uterus and vagina for the reproductive process. LA contraction pulls open and reduces the pressure in the upper vagina as well as elevating the cervix uteri. PR contraction constricts the middle and lower vagina and increases their pressure.Editorial Comment: This article describes a reflex which is operative during coitus. It results in ballooning of the upper vagina (assuming lateral sidewall attachments are intact) and contraction of the paravaginal muscles. The study is nicely done and objectively establishes the existence of this physiological reflex.